the griot - winter 2010
DESCRIPTION
NYULYP NewsmagazineTRANSCRIPT
Vol. III
Informing the Young Professional
Resolutions for A New Year
What role can we play in helping to push systematic educational reform?
How can young professionals make a difference?
Issue No. 1 Winter 2010
New YorkUrban LeagueYoung Professionals
ContentsWinter 2010
EDUCATION: What role can we play in helping to push systematic educational reform? Joe Rogers discusses civic engagement in education.
HBCUs – Are they still relevant?Julian Gunder looks at the original purpose of HBCUs and examines whether they are still as necessary today.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: How can young professionals make a difference? Deshundra Jefferson explores how to continue moving forward in the direction of progress and change.
Resolutionsfor a New Year
LifeStyle
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Renting vs. Buying in this EconomyKira Brereton compares the two, and talks about what you need to know before you buy.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP-MENT/CAREER ADVICE: How to make the Recession Work for You: Tips on how to start a new career, start your own business, make yourself more marketable or go back to school.
HEALTH & QUALITY OF LIFE: America’s weight issue and its impact on African Americans - Simple steps to help you start eating healthy today!
In Every Issue04 President’s Letter04 Editor’s Letter06 Contributors 15 Member Spotlight18 A Deeper Look30 YP Upcoming Events30 Classifieds/Business Listing
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What Does Being “Grown & Sexy” Really Mean? We throw the phrase around so much yet no one knows what it even means. In this special section, we will actually define what it means to be “Grown & Sexy” from the point of view of the New York City young profes-sional. We’ll see that Grown & Sexy means:
Being on the ‘Scene’…not just the Club Scene
Being Fashion-Forward
Being Smart About How you Spend Your Money
Griot (pronounced grEE O) -“A storyteller in West Africa; perpetuates the oral traditions of a family or village”
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2 The Griot
Want to write for The Griot? E-mail [email protected]
Daniella Johnson Communications Chair
Nicole ClareCommunity Service [email protected]
Carmen Mayes Fund Development Chair
PresidentRahshib Thomas
Vice PresidentMonique Myles
SecretaryMichelle Sprott
TreasurerTerik Tidwell
Lisa LeidCivics & Economics Chair
Editor-In-ChiefDaniella Johnson
Managing Editor
Jazmin Haygood
Asst. Editor/Lead DesignerDwayne Neckles
Copy EditorKimberly Parris
Photo ResearcherJulian Gunder
Logo Design
Dwayne Neckles
Executive Board
Sabrina Gates Membership Chair
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President’s Message
Letter from the Editor
Dear Members and Friends,
As the New York Urban League is celebrating 90 years of service and its Young Professional auxiliary approaches seven power packed years, it is exciting to bring you The Griot. Keeping the young professional informed is paramount for mobilizing like-minded individuals for the Urban League Movement. Today our world, more than ever, has access to information through various forms of technology. As you read through this news-magazine I ask that you actualize the meaning of its name and share the information with your circle of friends. As you read through the stories of
empowering communities and changing lives, please note that you are receiving history in the mak-ing. Will you be part of that history? It’s never too late and it’s never too little. The 2009-2011 Exec-utive Board joins you in the right place at the right time for a new season of the civil rights movement.
Resolutions for a New Year
When we sat down to brainstorm for this issue of The Griot, we toyed with the idea of calling this the Grown & Sexy issue. But, as we started to discuss our definition of the phrase, we soon realized that we were really talking about how we as young professionals could strive to progress as individuals, and enrich the communities and people around us. We thus emerged from this brainstorming session with the theme Resolutions for a New Year, and though seemingly cliché, it seemed fitting for the first issue of 2010. For The Griot, the New Year means
new beginnings, a refreshed look and a new opportunity for us to inform and serve our readership. For each of us as young professionals, it means another chance to be vehicles of change, progress and hope for future generations. I encourage you to read the issue, share it with your peers, and be inspired.
Yours in the Movement,Rahshib ThomasPresident 2009-2011
Yours in the Movement,Jazmin HaygoodManaging Editor, The Griot
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Our Haiti Response From National Urban League President and CEO, Marc H. Morial
On behalf of the National Urban League, its Board of Trustees and Affiliates, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti as they cope with the effects of the devastating earthquake that has taken so many lives and destroyed so many communities. We are all distressed by the images of death and destruction in the wake of this horrific disaster. We commend President Obama for the way in which the United States has responded to this crisis so far. When disasters like this occur, as in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck this country, the National Urban League movement came together to assist in the relief effort and provide support to those in dire need. As the recovery and relief efforts get underway in Haiti, we recommend the following: 1) As we have assessed the best way to assist in the relief effort in these first critical hours and days, we have been advised that CASH DONATIONS are the most efficient and effective wayto help the relief efforts in Haiti right now. The National Urban League urges everyone to donate to the Haiti Support Project’s Haiti Relief Fund at www.ibw21.org, or you can donate to a reputable organization of your choice. You can go to www.white-house.gov/HaitiEarthquake to determine an organization to contribute to. Please contribute what you can as soon as possible. 2) The United States must take the lead in a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Haiti, like the Marshall Plan, to ensure that the physical infrastructure and human lives are permanently re-built. 3) The United States should grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the 30,000 Haitians currently under threat of deportation. The National Urban League and its affiliates in over 100 communities throughout the United States stand ready to assist in the relief efforts to help the people of Haiti recover from this terrible disaster. We will issue further statements and updates on an on-going basis. For more information, visit www.nul.org.
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Contributors Julian Gunder
Deshundra Jefferson
Other Contributors
Deshundra Jefferson is a Chicago-raised, native Texan who now calls Harlem home.
She became politically active by volunteer-
ing for local voter registration and canvass-ing efforts on behalf of the Obama campaign during the 2008 Presidential election. Deshun-dra later joined the New York Urban League Young Professionals in hopes of participating in the continuing movement for civil rights and to strengthen her ties to the community. Her most important legacy is teaching her son “responsible citizenship.”
Deshundra is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and volun-teers through New York Cares.
Kira Bereton, Deveter Brown & Kelvin Davis
As an independent consultant bridging the worlds of policy analysis and civic en-gagement, Joe Rogers believes that the educa-tional and social chal-lenges of our communi-
ties are best solved by building, networking, leveraging, and sustaining the problem solving and advocacy capacity of those stakeholders most impacted by policymaking. To that end, Joe provides strategic planning, policy, and community engagement services to non-profit and civic organizations committed to helping communities actualize their full potential. He has served as a consultant to several New York City-based organizations, including Education Voters of New York and NYC Mission Society.
“Educational Equity in NYC: Taking It Personal in 2010”
“Civic Engagement: What ways can young professionals make a difference?”
Joe Rogers
Julian was born and raised in sunny San Diego, CA, and gradu-ated from Howard University. He cur-rently does Ad Sales for The New York Times and looks for-ward to starting a nonprofit organization in the near future.
“Are HBCU’s Still Relevant”
6 The Griot
O.B. Wilson
Aishah Alassan
Aishah Alassan is a first-generation Ghanaian-American writer, born and raised in NY. She began her professional career in writing at the urban teen magazines, Right
On! and Black Beat Magazine. Writing poetry and short stories since the age of 12, she now splits her time evenly between freelance writ-ing, publicity, and blogging. To enjoy more of her writing, visit her newly launched website, BeautyVirtuoSoul.com.
“Grown & Sexy Means Being on the Scene..”
“How to Survive a Sample Sale”
Orane Williams
Cynthia Caban is a fashion writer and col-orist for LVMH. She earned her undergrad degree in journalism from Temple Univer-sity, and her graduate degree in fashion mar-keting from Parsons
School of Design. Cynthia has written for Es-sence.com, Singersroom.com as well as other websites on the subjects of fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
“Understanding Your Credit Score” and “A Review: The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke”
Orane Williams is the Executive Director of Dispelling Realities and Empowering African American Minds Inc (D.R.E.A.M. Inc) a nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy among young minorities within the urban communities.
Orane chose to write this article because it is important as young profes-sionals to understand how important credit is. Most of us learn about it
when it is too late. Credit is a very important factor in adulthood.
Cynthia Caban
O.B. Wilson, is the first co-editor of the NYULYP’s Griot, president of FAMU Alumni NY Chapter and a writer of inspirations, poetry and travel stories. He has been pub-lished in local and national publications. He enjoys living life, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
“Member Spotlight”Kimberly Parris
Kimberly Parris is a college and career spe-cialist for an alternative high school in New York City. She is also a chef and owner of K. Parris Catering and Personal Chef Service. Check out her website at www.kimberlyparris.com
“What It Means to be Grown & Sexy”
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Take It PersonalImproving Educational Opportunities:
by Joseph Rogers
There is no more pressing injustice facing our communities than educational inequity; there is no better way to build the capacity of our communities and ensure that we collectively reach our full potential than ensuring high quality learning opportunities and support for our young people; and, though we must work hand in hand with our trailblazing elders, our youth leaders, and our working class brothers and sisters, there is no segment of our community better equipped or more obligated to lead the personal and the systemic
transformation needed to achieve that goal than our young professionals.
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If education is the civil rights issue of this generation, where is the movement and what can young professionals do to advance it? I challenge each member of our chapter to take three steps, at least one in each of the three categories below, to better understand and help improve educational opportunities
in our communities:
We must understand that we as young professionals have a moral and civic obligation to ensure the success of our younger brothers and sisters, even as we pursue our own dreams and goals. We have
enjoyed tremendous opportunities, and so, commensurate with the enormity of our blessings, giving back requires us to be leaders and change agents, not spectators or remote benefactors, in this movement for educational equity and excellence in our communities. For us, this is no simple act of charity or adventurous missionary stint. As Gang Starr insisted back in ’92, in this movement, we have to “take it personal.”
Understand the Issues:I.
Research an elementary, middle or high school a. in your neighborhood. Insideschools.org (http://insideschools.org/index12.php) will list the schools located in your zip code and provides helpful reviews. Consider scheduling a visit to the school or speaking with a neighbor or fam-ily member whose children attend the school.
Stay abreast of education reform develop-b. ments in NYC (see http://gothamschools.org/) and beyond (sign up for the Education Trust’s “Equity Express”: http://www.edtrust.org/resources/for-parents/equity-express)
Make a personal commitment:II.
Make a commitment to tutor, mentor, or speak to a. a class at least once a month. New York City pro-vides a database of volunteer opportunities with schools and with nonprofits focused on youth development: http://www.nycservice.org/).
Join your local community board’s youth and edu-b. cation committee as either a public or full board member. To find your community board, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/directory.shtml.
Support systemic reform:III.
Attend a meeting, community discussion or rally a. organized by a civic organization or community group. The NYC Coalition for Educational Jus-tice (http://www.nyccej.org) and the Alliance for Quality Education (http://www.aqeny.org) are two coalitions of community-based organiz-ing groups fighting for educational justice.
Contact your elected officials to learn about their b. efforts to improve educational opportunities. (Also check out Education Voters (www.edvotersofny.org), which works to increase public engagement in edu-cation policymaking and advocacy and turn the pub-lic will for excellent schools into political action.)
You may also want to consider applying to one of three ur-ban teacher residency programs that prepare exceptional teacher candidates through 14-month intensive training programs in NYC schools:
New Visions for Public Schools-Hunter 1. College: http://www.newvisions.org/teaching_learning/index.asp
Teachers College, Columbia University: 2. http://www.tc.edu/teachingresidents/index.asp?Id=Home&Info=The+Program
Internationals Network for Public Schools-3. Long Island University: http://www.internationalsnps.org/get-involved/get-involved-employment-volunteer.html
In 2010, we must pick up the baton of educational justice and run—run like we’re running for our lives
. . . for their lives, for indeed we are. In 2010, we must take it personal.
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Are HBCUs Still Relevant?by Julian Gunder
A question that has been asked more frequently over the last couple decades. Educators,
politicians, and even students have started to question the necessity of HBCUs in today’s society. After all, HBCUs were created to allow African Americans to pursue higher education at a time when people of color were denied the most basic human rights; including but not limited to, owning property, voting, and wearing socks and shoes at the same time.
Racial tension in America is nowhere near where it was in the 1800’s and early to mid 1900’s. Blacks hold prominent positions in American society today more then ever before. Has anyone heard of Kenneth Chenault, Oprah Winfrey, or some guy named Barack Obama? But at the same time, racial injustice still rears its ridiculously ugly head every so often. It’s hard to think of a better example than
of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, being arrested in front of his own home in Cambridge, Massachusetts last July.
The fact is that HBCUs continue to provide a high quality education to students, and prepare them for illustrious careers in a plethora of different fields. Many Fortune 1,000 companies recognize the talents of these students and have established long lasting partnerships with HBCUs. Global financial services firm, UBS, sponsored the UBS Simulation, Learning, and Research Lab at Howard University’s School of Business. The UBS SLR Lab is set up as a trading floor with 23 dual monitor terminals, and is equipped with a collection of cutting-edge software and programs. Such partnerships have opened the doorway to internship and career opportunities that may not have been made available at predominately White universities. Some notable HBCU graduates
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are Thurgood Marshall, Toni Morrison, and Earl G. Graves. HBCU students find that they feel a lot more comfortable, and therefore are further motivated to succeed, when surrounded by other young, intelligent, minorities. Howard University graduate, Steven Hughes stated “I never really experienced what it truly meant to be a minority until I graduated and matriculated into the real world. Although, my education is the primary reason I went to college I gained so much more. I am not certain that I would have been adequately prepared in my confidence and comforted in my identity without the pride and responsibility Howard instilled”. Also, many high school students are afraid of
experiencing prejudice, racism, or isolation at predominately White schools.
On the flip side, many argue that HBCUs should be abolished because they do not give a realistic sense of the real world. Most individuals with this viewpoint argue that, “the real world is not all Black”. Critics of HBCUs also question the quality of education at such schools versus that of other universities.
Black president and all, are Historically Black Universities and Colleges still relevant? The answer is a resounding YES.
Here are a few facts about HBCUs, and what they silently accomplish year after year.
Xavier University is #1 nationally in placing African-
Americans into medical school.
More than 50% of the nation’s African
American public school teachers
and 70% of African American dentists earned degrees at
HBCUs.
Seven of the top eleven producers of African American baccalaureates in
engineering were HBCUs, including #1 North Carolina
A&T State University.
11The Griot
Civic Engagement: How can can young professionals make a difference? What can we do to continue moving forward in the direction of progress and change?
You may not be able to save the world…but you can join the movement.
by Deshundra Jefferson
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“It’s just a matter of
stepping out of your
door sometimes”
Many times, we wonder how we as individuals can step forward and become more engaged in the goings-on of our respective communities. While it may seem easier to just “do you,” Sabrina Lamb, the Founder and Executive Director of WorldofMoney.org, is dismissive of that notion. “Apathy isn’t like the flu,” says Lamb. “You are apathetic because you choose to be. Chet Whye, Director of Harlem 4 Change, also points out, “It’s just a matter of stepping out of your door sometimes. There are a number of problems and a number of solutions.”
Perhaps apathy isn’t what’s holding you back -- maybe you don’t know what more you could do. Below are five ways you can increase your community connection:
All politics is local. Voting is the most basic, and perhaps overlooked, way to engage in the political process. If you haven’t registered to vote, then do so today. If you aren’t sure who to vote for in the upcoming midterm elections, start by examining your current representative’s previous platform and achievements in office. Do you agree or disagree with his or her record? If you’re already a regular at the polls, sign up to volunteer for a political campaign.
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Meet and Greet. Lamb says that knowing who represents your district isn’t enough; they need to be on speed dial. “If you don’t know them then they don’t know you,” she says. “When I need to get something done I know who to call.” Make it a point to attend community board meetings, meet your state representatives when they are in your district and attend panels or discussions hosted by local political clubs.
Work it. Help your employer be a better corporate citizen by volunteering to host a food drive. The Food Bank for New York City works with local businesses to collect food for approximately 1.3 million city residents who rely on emergency food services. Another option is to create a virtual food drive that allows participants to donate money online. Donations made to 501(c) (3) charities are tax-deductible
and some employers also offer matching gifts.
Volunteer. If you’re not sure about making a regular commitment (or perhaps you prefer one-stop shopping), New York Cares offers a variety of service-oriented projects ranging from volunteering as an ESL conversation partner, to feeding the hungry or caring for homeless animals. Many projects require no commitment and there are volunteer opportunities throughout the city.
Party with a purpose. Two sites that you should bookmark are
BlackGivesBack.com and CharityHappenings.org. Black Gives Back is a mélange of party pictures, posts about upcoming events and philanthropic news. Charity Happenings offers a comprehensive list of galas, benefits and networking events around
the city.
Incorporating civic involvement, volunteerism or philanthropy into your life simply requires a commitment to be of service. Whye stresses that being a part of a collective of like-minded individuals is what allows for change. “If you participate you enhance your community. You are holding up your share,” Whye explains. “We become a burden to the community when we aren’t holding up our share.”
What you do matters. Choose to give back, not up.
“ We become a burden
to the community when
we aren’t holding
up our share.”
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Member Spotlight: Justin Mooreby O.B. Wilson
The Griot 15
JUSTIN MOORE, Architect, Urban Designer,
Professor, Harlemite and YPer
Focused, empowered and positive are
all traits that describe Justin Moore,
the current membership spotlight.
An Indianapolis native, Justin, has been in New York for over 8 years. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and has a Dual Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. Justin currently works for the NY City’s Planning and Urban Design Office. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia. He has worked with many urban design projects around the city such as the African Burial Ground Design Competition. Justin’s primary focus is on neighborhood projects, which include housing, parks, streets and revitalization projects. Justin is making great professional moves.
Justin is a real Urban Leaguer from college to present. Prior to
attending college, Justin received a 4 year scholarship from the Urban League of Indianapolis. As Justin received his undergrad degree and moved to New York, he wanted to be involved with a proactive, positive professional organization. A top organization that he considered and soon joined is the Urban League. He found the NYUL Young Professionals and has been a part of the civic economics committee and currently the communications committee. As part of the team, Justin’s energy and enthusiasm has been great. He was an instrumental leader in the Health Walks in Harlem, Queens and Brooklyn. On these Health Walks, he often served as the guide to the community, while
helping everyone keep in shape. Attendees of the Health Walks were also able to communicate about health, community and development. Justin’s thoughts were when YP needed someone to organize information or help promote, he would gladly step in for the team.
In Justin’s view, YP is a great group for young professionals, who want to help their community and engage with people of a constructive energy level. In the future, Justin sees YP members working together to develop, empower and uplift us as individuals and within our community.
Renting vs. Buying: Which is the Right Choice for You
By now you have heard that it is a buyer’s market. Real estate everywhere is “on sale” as a result of the ongoing economic crisis. Investing in real estate can be a valuable tool in building your personal wealth. However, getting a good deal should not be your only consideration when
deciding whether you should rent or buy.
By: Kira N. Brereton
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Consideration # 1 - Associated Costs: While mortgage payments may be similar or in some cases less than rental payments, buying real estate requires a higher initial investment then renting property. Even the smallest down payment is typically higher than the deposit required when renting property. In addition, when buying, you must account for the actual costs of home ownership. Property owners usually make mortgage, tax and maintenance payments on property; whereas renters are only responsible for rent (although an owner’s expenses are typically built into monthly rent payments).
Consideration # 2 - Tax Benefits: Buyers of real estate have the ability to take mortgage interest and property tax deductions on their tax returns as well as, more recently, the first time and repeat home buyer’s tax credits for those who qualify. In addition, a buyer can enjoy
tax-free capital gains of up to $250,000 when selling a primary residence if certain conditions are satisfied. While there is more tax benefit associated with property ownership, it is important that prospective buyers carefully analyze the benefits that will be gained from owning property. For example, deductions and credits associated with home ownership have no tax advantage unless a buyer pays so much interest and/or tax that these amounts (combined with other deductions that the buyer may have) exceed the standard deduction that a renter is allowed to take.
Consideration # 3 - Increased Net Worth: Buying real estate has the added advantage of assisting a property owner in increasing his or her ultimate net worth by gaining equity. Renters do not have the opportunity to gain equity no matter what improvements they make to their homes. Essentially, each mortgage
payment is the equivalent of putting money into a savings account rather than giving it away to a landlord when renting. Property owners also have an opportunity to gain an increased return on their initial investment in the real estate purchased due to increases in property value. It is important to remember; however, that similar to other investments, real estate runs the risk of losing value (as has been the case during the current economic crisis). Also, real estate is not a highly liquid investment. Property owners must go through the process of selling their homes and finding a buyer before they can liquidate the value created by owning real estate.
When reviewing all of these considerations, it is important to take your personal goals into account. Depending on your current and anticipated lifestyle, either choice may have plenty of advantages
Think of credit as your adult GPA. Your credit score helps lenders determine how risky
of a borrower you may be or not be.
Equifax, Experian & TransUnion are the 3 national credit reporting agencies that use
the FICO system developed in 1956.
Your FICO score is a 3 digit number ranging from 300 to 850 with the higher number meaning
the less risky of a borrower you are. The score is based on the information on your credit report.
With payment history and amounts owed having the most influence on your FICO score don’t miss any
payments and don’t use up all of your credit limit and you can be on your way to maintaining a good score.
The FICO Score is made up of these 5 factors:
Und
erst
andi
ng Y
our
Cre
dit
Sco
re
30% Amounts Owed
35% Payment History
10% Type of Credit
10% New History
10% Credit History
30% Amounts Owed
35% Payment History
10% Type of Credit
10% New History
10% Credit History
17The Griot
by Deveter Brown
Financial Literacy SeriesCover Your Assets:
Protecting your
house, health
and future.
Last night, I had the privilege of attending a New York Urban League Young Profession-als (NYULYP) financial literacy series event. The topic was, “Cover Your Assets: Protect-ing your House, Health and Future.” There was a panel of three finance professionals that participated in the “living room” dis-cussion. It really got me to thinking about insurance!
Here are a few things I learned last night and thought you should know.
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There are various types of insurance besides life, home and health. Do your research on the following:
*Long Term Care Insurance – it is designed to provide coverage for necessary
medical or personal care services provided outside of a hospital setting, such as in a nursing home or in the insured’s home.
*Disability Insurance - a type of health insurance that pays a monthly income to the
policyholder when he or she is unable to work because of an illness or accident.
*Variable Universal Life Insurance (VUL) - a type of life insurance that builds cash value. In a VUL,
the cash value can be invested in a wide variety of separate accounts, similar to mutual funds. The choice
of which of the available separate accounts to use is entirely up to the contract owner.
Before buying any insurance policy, make sure you are working with a reputable agency that has a long history. Also, shop around. Meet with different insurance agencies before you buy a policy. If you already currently have a policy, make sure it is valid for the state you currently reside in. The rules for NY are often different than the rules in NJ, and the rules on the West Coast tend to differ from the rules on the East Coast. Also, it is great to utilize the insurance that your employer provides, but you should also have your own disability insurance. Chances are, you will not be able to take your employers insurance with you if you quit or are fired. Another example of insurance that you can get, whether or not you own your own home, is Renter’s Insurance. Insurance is all about protecting what you own or have and the people you love. (“for the Ifs in life”)
Other little known facts about insurance that I learned from this seminar:
*The younger you are and the longer the policy the cheaper it can be.
*After age 65 most insurance companies will not give you a policy!
*A difficult but necessary discussion is where your loved ones keep their life insurance
policies. If they are in a safe
deposit box, they need to make sure they allow someone access to the key or grant someone power of attorney to get into the box. It makes no sense to have a policy that no one can get access to!
*Life insurance is money that shows up when things happens. Stuff doesn’t always
mean death. It can mean, fire, accidents, illness and injuries.
This seminar was truly eye opening for me. Since the death of Michael Jackson, I have really been thinking about how I want my children to be taken care of if something should happen to my husband or me. Not only is life insurance important, but you should also have a will, a health care proxy and a power of attorney. Those of us who aren’t affluent or don’t come from a family with lots of money never think about the need for an insurance policy outside of burial costs, but your income is what keeps your family afloat. Think about what would happen if you weren’t here. I would like for my three children to be well taken care of if something should happen to me - so tomorrow I have an appointment to set up my policies with them in mind.
Have you taken any steps toward securing your future? It may be difficult to think about insurance when we are in a financial decline as a country - but it’s a necessary discussion for you and for your family’s future.
❝ It’s a hard discussion but a
very necessary one. ❞
19The Griot
Grown&Sexy
When you go to an after work event or you attend a network-ing party, or even if you were to head out for a night on the town, the phrase “grown and sexy” is one that frequently
arises. It has become almost cliché in nature because of its con-stant use. It begs the question, “what is grown and sexy”?
Urbandictionary.com defines the term “grown and sexy” as used to describe people who [have] reached a point in their lives where playing games and immaturity is behind them, and they have grown up and are ready to take on bigger and better things. However, when do you determine the appropriate age where this ‘sudden revelation’ takes place? And does this mean that prior to this adage, that when you grew up, you ‘lost your sexy’?
Ayanna G., an arts and entertainment contributor to online e-zine Associated Content notes that within the nightlife scene, it is ‘grown and sexy’ when their “clientele usually consists of people for whom attire is everything”. In reality, the phrase has been abused enough to where most people will tag anything deemed for an over 21 crowd “grown and sexy”.
So then…what IS it to be ‘grown’ and ‘sexy’?
If you consider the qualities that you might find attractive in a mate, such as being financially stable, then those would all be things that would imply ‘sexiness’, as well as being ‘grown’. However, to be ‘grown and sexy’, is, simply, a state of being who you are and con-fident in yourself and your abilities – a quality that transcends age and appearance.
In other words, be yourself.
You’ve seen or heard it all before. “Attire for this event is grown and sexy”.
Intro by Kimberly Parris
20 The Griot
LIF
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Being “Grown & Sexy” is about more than going to clubs and parties. Learn about cultural events, and charity events, fundraisers and more to breakup the monotony by Aishah Alassen
It’s the second Friday of the month and you’re on the train counting down the stops until you reach the urban oasis otherwise known as home. You left the 9-to-5 a little after 6, but that’s OK because you finished up most of your paperwork. This means come Monday morning, ole what’s-his-face won’t be breathing down your neck... eh. You sent out the rent check last week, finally did some laundry last night, and now you’re ready
to reward your grown & sexy self with some much needed alone time, not to mention a ticket for one to that off-Broadway play you’ve been eyeing ever since you read those rave reviews in New York magazine. Now all that’s left to do is to pick out some threads and hit the Big Apple streets.
Contrary to popular belief, the grown & sexy populate more than just our beloved ‘sardine-packed free-before-12’ spots or those ‘easy-on-the-wallet’ happy hour lounges! If you look a bit closer, you’ll notice we make up a good number of folks on your local volunteer committees, career functions and “insert random non-club scene” here.
For your viewing and reading pleasure, we’ve listed a few other places, to round out our Top 5 Non-club venues, where you are most likely to run into your fellow grown & sexy NY-er:
1 Spiritual/Religious Places of Worship “Church!” Whether
you look at yourself as a spiritual student or a church-going Bible thumper, spiritual functions offer an easy and fairly painless way to get your worship and praise on in the company of fellow parishioners, while satisfying your mother’s constant, but loving, pestering to “go to church.”
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2Volunteer/Mentoring Organizations Sure, New York
Cares recruits volunteers all year long, but if you want to make a difference a little closer to home, check out your local community center or simply enter the name of your neighborhood and the keywords “volunteer” or “mentor” in your trusty Google toolbar and see what pops up.
3 Networking Functions You don’t have to look any further than
your own backyard (read the NYULYP) for this non-club option. Besides providing a laid-back, yet professional atmosphere, Networking socials give you a chance
to rub noses with everyone from the mailroom guy to the VP of Sales. For the fellas, it’s pretty much the easiest way to guarantee your business card doesn’t get tossed out of her purse at the end of the night!
4 Plays, Poetry Readings & Potluck It’s the 3P’s of
socializing—sans the party. When’s the last time someone actually made an effort to keep you entertained for more than an hour and it wasn’t a potential mate? It’s probably high time to check out a play or a poetry reading. Keep your eyes open after the show for the intellectual let-out. We’re pretty sure you’ll spot
a number of grown and sexy New Yorkers in the mix! Big crowds not your thing? No problem. Next time Samantha or Wilhelm invites you to that game-night potluck, break out the Jiffy boxes and scrabble.
5 Family Gatherings In the hustle and bustle of New York
City nightlife, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the idea of new sights, sounds and suitors. But home is where the heart is and that traditional family gathering—baby showers, cookouts, BBQ’s—is not only good for the heart, it’s perfect for the soul!
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Shop wisely and you can get that Saks look at Filene’s Basement prices. You don’t have to be an
editor to find out when your favorite designers are having samples sales, promotions and private shopping events. You can go to their websites and sign up for their mailing lists or do a quick Google search of sample sales in your city. You can also join the de-signer’s fan page on Facebook to get a head’s up and potentially get invited to the pre-sale – where you get first pick of the best merchandise.
Stick to sample sales for designers you know you like. Once you’re at your sale of choice, a panic can set in but keep a level head. Set a budget for yourself before hand that is set in stone. It may be hard to walk away, but you should not be making life decisions at the cash register. The temptation to buy nonsense is heightened when prices are halved. Also, it’s helpful to go into the sale with an idea of what you want and how much it costs at retail so you know if you’re really getting a good deal or not so do some research before-hand. Sometimes the sales associates are very helpful and can help you find something if you walk in with a photograph of it or you know the name of the item.
Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off - there’s usu-ally a no return policy so you’ll want to make sure what you’re getting fits. It’s best to wear leggings so you don’t have to strip all the way down. Sample sales can really test your patience, espe-cially if you have personal space issues. Be prepared to snatch and grab what you want because the other unruly shoppers may be grabbing and pushing to get to the best bargains. You usually can’t put things on hold at sample sales and if you put something down it won’t be there when you come back. So hold on to your treasure until you’re positive you don’t want it.
Go forth and save, recessionista!
How to Survive a Sample Sale
By Cynthia Caban
If you live in New York or LA you’ve probably been to a sample sale. They’re a fashionista’s dream come true. It’s like you walked into your favorite designer’s boutique and they announce that everything’s half or more off. Now that we’re in a recession, everyone is looking for a way to get a little piece of luxury into their lives.
Want to find this season’s best sales?
Visit New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain Calendar
at www.nymag.com/shopping
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Young, Fabulous...and Broke?
A Review by Orane Williams
The Money Book for the Young Fabulous & Broke (YFB) is a great read for any recent college grad or young professional trying to navigate the financial woes of adulthood. Suze Orman is a financial expert who wrote this book for the young generation is who crying broke to the financial debt they accumulate from student loans and credit card debt.
I myself enjoyed reading this book when I graduated several years ago and enjoyed reviewing it again to write this review. YFB breaks things down topics such as your credit score, career moves, saving up money, & purchasing cars, just to name a few. The book is structured that you can jump to the chapter that speaks on a topic that you may be particularly interested in. After each chapter, Suze offers a quick playback with the top tips from the chapter.
In each chapter, there are strategy sessions with a problem and solution. The strategy sessions are like FAQs on the topic. For example, in Chapter 3 - Give Yourself Credit one problem mentioned is “I can’t get a credit card”. The solution: Start with a secured credit card and a retail card. After that Suze goes into further detail on her solution to the problem.
The Money Book for the Young Fabulous & Broke is not just a book that you will borrow and return after reading it cover to cover. This is a book that you want to keep in your library as it is a great foundation to build you financial knowledge upon. You can always refer back to it when you have questions on a particular financial situation that you may run across.
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GET TAYLORmade
RESPONDING TO THE RECESSION: Taking Matters into Your Own Hands
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In a period of economic downturn, with unemployment rates at an all-time low, fore-closures at an all-time high, and many corporations experiencing stagnant growth, the recession has left many of us discouraged, hopeless, and fearful of what our fu-tures hold. Many professionals and business owners have faced layoffs, closures, and economic hardship. Much of our savings has depleted; our homes, healthcare, and dignity have been lost; and our dreams of early retirement have been deferred.
The good news is that there can still be hope and optimism in the midst of an otherwise bleak state in our economy. That hope lies within each of us. Our response to this recession can’t be one of surrender or defeat. Instead, we must look the recession in the eye, and boldly proclaim that “failure is not an option.” The best way to respond to the recession is to take matters into our own hands. We can’t passively wait for the government to fix the economy and improve the unemployment rate while we idly sit by and lose our homes, ruin our credit ratings, and ultimately file for bankruptcy. An assertive, proactive, and hands-on reaction to the recession is one that is most likely to generate positive results. Consider the following as ways to respond to the recession and come out on top:
Multiple Streams of Income: This age-old adage has become even more significant during today’s economy. The idea of generating many forms of income provides financial security in case you be-come unemployed and enhances one’s ability to generate savings. Entrepreneurship, even in this poor economy, is still a great way to create additional income. Consider turning your love for bak-ing or your passion for children into your own small business. Many customers are turning to small businesses, and away from the larger corporations, for more affordable, one-on-one service during these hard economic times. Visit mysmallbiz.com for ideas on how to easily start your own small business. If you’re an expert in a particular industry, also consider consulting, freelancing, or blog-ging to generate added revenue. Visit allfreelance.com to find freelance jobs and post your services.
Consider a Career Change: The reality is that even in this recession, people are still being hired every day. If your current industry is downgrading or experiencing a slow-down in hir-ing, consider switching to a career where there is still a high-demand. Careers in Healthcare
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(nurses, physician’s assistants, physical therapists, etc.), Pharmacy, Engineering, Urban Planning, and Library Science are among the list of 30 Best Careers in 2009 as reported by U.S. News & World Re-port. Many people who have been doing the same thing for an extensive period of time feel like they’re too old to start a new career. Quite the contrary, it’s never too late to switch gears. Many times, the ef-fects of a recession are just the boost we need to pursue that dream we’ve been putting on hold.
Enhance your Education: A period of recession is the perfect time to pursue the education or training that you’ve always wanted. When things are great in the economy, many of us aren’t thinking about going back to school. But when we get laid off and aren’t as qualified as our counterparts, we realize that education is an essential component to our careers. So, consider responding to a lay off by using the free time to get a degree, enroll in a continuing education program, or take a refresher course to enhance the knowledge you already have. Furthering your education makes you more marketable and increases your qualifications.
The best thing about a recession is the knowledge that it will end. But in the mean-time, respond by actively pursuing endeavors that will make you more money, more quali-fied, and bring you more satisfaction. The recession only has the power over our lives that we give it. So, take back the power, take matters into your own hands, and refuse to be a nega-tive byproduct of the recession. Great things are in your future. You just have to believe!
Send your career questions to [email protected]. Aisha M. Taylor, MPA is the Owner and Chief Consultant of TAYLORmade ~ Professional Career Consulting (www.careertaylormade.com).
Simple StepS to a HealtHier You
by Kelvin Davis
The American diet is taking a toll on the nation’s health, especially African-Americans. It contributes to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes which are problems African-Americans suffer from disproportionately. President Obama has called for Americans to cut back on all the junk food that has helped to fuel the obesity epidemic. The failure of popular diets such as the South Beach, Atkins, Paleolithic, Low Fat Diets, etc. has not created momentum to change the way we eat. Similarly, the reality show “Biggest Loser” has not inspired us to dramatically change our diet. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), two-thirds of Americans are overweight. The CDC reports that African Americans have the highest rate of obesity in the country with 51% more obesity than whites. The sodium in the American diet that comes via salt has proven especially harmful to African-Americans who are more sensitive to salt’s blood pressure spiking effects. Unfortunately, eighty percent of the sodium in our diet comes already added to it, before we reach for the salt shaker.
We can take simple steps to eat a healthier diet. We can reduce our sodium intake to 1,500mg -2400 mg by avoiding canned, microwaveable, and other prepared foods. Boosting dietary fiber to 38 grams per day for males and 25 grams for females would help with weight management and overall health. Websites such as mayoclinic.com, nih.gov and hsph/Harvard.edu/nutritionsource also provide helpful information on healthy eating.
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UPCOMING EVENTSJanuary
18- MLK day /Volunteer event with AJC Access19- General Body Meeting
23 - NYUL College Prep @ City College31- Committee Member Retreat
February3- Membership orientation
8 NYUL Champions of Diversity16 General Body Meeting
20 Community Service - Soup Kitchen, Bronx27- Personal & Professional De-
velopment Seminar (PPD)
March16 General Body Meeting - Entrepreneur Marketplace
20 Community Service - Soup Kitchen, Queens26- Census Friday
TBD **Rebirth! – NYULYP’s major annual fundraiser**
ADVERTISE WITH US!
We are currently accepting advertisements & patrons for placement in THE GRIOT.Please e-mail [email protected]
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